Florida Atlantic introduced its new vice president, director of athletics on Friday – and he made it clear it’s not going to be a one-man operation.
Josh McCowan held a press conference at the Owls Nest in the Schmidt Family Complex for Academic and Athletic Excellence, one week after being hired to replace Brian White, who resigned last month to become the athletic director at Virginia Tech.
Friday’s ceremony also included remarks from FAU President Adam Hasner and Chair of the Board of Trustees Piero Bussani, who served on the committee that chose McCowan after a national search. The committee also included university benefactor Michael Hagerty, football coach Zach Kittley, softball coach Jordan Clark and men’s and women’s basketball coaches John Jakus and LeAnn Freeland.
“Josh has the right experience, the right values and the right vision for the athletics department and for the university,” Hasner said. “And the energy that he brings to this job is aligned with the trajectory of Florida Atlantic University.
“Josh is the right leader at the right time.”
Here are 5 things to know about McCowan, who had been the Deputy Athletic Director at Mississippi State since 2023 and was joined by his wife, Ashley, son Kacen and daughter Kinsley at the press conference:
Josh McCowan lays out 3 principles in his role as FAU’s AD
McCowan noted he has three principles that will define his new role:
McCowan invites others to help him lead FAU sports
McCowan made it clear he cannot do the job alone.
“I promise to lead this department with integrity, hard work, transparency and respect,” McCowan said. “Together, we will educate leaders, unite this community, compete for championships and build something that every member of the Owl family can be proud.
“This will be a shared journey, and I invite every member of the Owl family to be part of it.”
What others are saying about Josh McCowan
“Josh has been a tremendous asset to Mississippi State Athletics, and we appreciate the positive impact he’s made on our department the last three years,” said Mississippi State Director of Athletics Zac Selmon. “He’s a tireless worker of great character who builds genuine relationships with everyone he works with. He shares the same commitment to student-athletes, coaches and staff that defines great programs. Josh’s leadership, professionalism and talent will serve him and Florida Atlantic well.”
McCowan holds two degrees from Kansas State University and spent nearly 10 years at his alma mater, the final six as senior associate athletics director for development, from 2017 to 2023, leading the Ahearn Fund.
“Florida Atlantic has made a phenomenal hire in Josh McCowan,” said Kansas State Director of Athletics Gene Taylor. “I have not only worked closely with him during his time at K-State but also have watched him flourish as a well-rounded administrator who is ready to lead a department. His fundraising acumen is evident, and he understands what it takes to be successful in today’s landscape. FAU got a really good one.”
McCowan known for his collegiate fund-raising efforts
McCowan’s time in collegiate athletic departments has been noteworthy for his fund-raising efforts – and that is a main reason for his arrival in Boca Raton.
McCowan guided Mississippi State’s revenue generation, highlighted by FY25 that saw major gift commitments close at a clip of three times the previous 10-year average – including 10 gifts of $1 million or more and a record $51.1 million in outright contributions. McCowan also led the modernization of the Bulldogs’ NIL revenue strategy, resulting in substantial year-over-year funding growth.
He established the first philanthropic major giving society in MSU Athletics history, overseeing a 31% increase in combined ticket and contribution revenue – growing the total by more than $11.5 million over three years.
In his final year at Kansas State, the Ahearn Fund posted a record $58.9 million in total giving and $20.4 million in annual fund revenue.
McCowan brings solid credentials to his new position
McCowan was named in 2026 as one of the Top 100 Future Athletics Directors by Silver Waves Media.
He is a member of the National Association of Athletic Development Directors (NAADD) Executive Committee, LEAD1 Institute, a 2025 AD360 Participant and has attended multiple Collegiate Athletics Symposiums (CALS).
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Five things to know about Florida Atlantic’s new athletic director
Reporting by Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Palm Beach Post | USA TODAY Network
